Beijing Live - Audi A3 sedan (mid-2014 India debut)

The Audi A3 sedan has been launched at the ongoing Beijing Auto Show, ahead of its official production commencement at the new Foshan plant. Branded 'A3 Limousine', it comes in two variants, priced at 279,800 yuan (INR 27.08 lakh) and 334,300 yuan (INR 32.36 lakh).

The company had earlier confirmed that the A3 sedan - which had made its China debut at the Auto Shanghai 2013 - will be put into production in summer this year in its newly established Foshan plant, where at present the Audi A3 Sportback is being manufactured.

The A3 measures 4,310 mm in length, 1,966 mm in width, 1,425 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,626 mm. Audi will not make a long wheelbase version of this sedan as its competitors do not get long wheelbase versions.

The A3 is powered by the EA888 1.8 TFSI engine that develops a maximum power output of 180 hp and peak torque of 250Nm, transferring power through a 6-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox.

Audi expects additional growth with the launch of the compact sedan. The company sold 124,520 units between January and March this year in China, of which 47,636 units were sold in March alone.

The company currently produces Audi A4 L, A6 L, Q5 and Q3 at its Changchun plant and the Foshan plant, which was commissioned late in 2013, joined in with the A3 hatchback.